5 year Celebration - Goodrich Virtual Open Gardens 2020

DONATIONS: https://www.justgiving.com/page/5-yea...
Five years ago, during a period of 'lockdown' for the UK public, Goodrich Village, in South Herefordshire, on the borders of the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean, invited you to share a cup of tea and cake with friends online whilst taking a virtual tour of nine of their glorious gardens. No one could visit in person, so we took the challenge of coming to you - into your home - via our video - and you supported us no end!! THANK YOU! Over £3,000 was raised during that time for our local hospice, St Michael's - and over the past 5 years, the video has had over 25,000 views! ... Amazing!!

We are celebrating that success 5 years ago, by relaunching the video for the many people that haven't seen it yet, and for those that would like to enjoy it again!!

Our thanks to all involved (Credits on JustGiving page - link above) & to you - for your support!

The gardens:
(Further details on JustGiving page - link above. nb. Descriptions from 5 years ago!)

Poole Cottage - Ten years ago deer fencing was put up to enclose two acres of hillside on Coppett Hill with the idea to create a modern country garden in keeping with the local natural landscape. Home to designer, Jo Ward-Ellison and her husband Roy, the garden is predominately naturalistic in style with a contemporary feel and has a long season of interest. Featured in The English Garden Magazine and Country Living Magazine.

Quarry Cottage - A pretty cottage garden, packed with flowers, fruit and vegetables. A network of narrow paths allow you to enjoy surprising views of the cottage, garden and surrounding countryside. Whilst enjoying the garden, you will be able to listen to some live guitar music, played by owner, Phil.

Hillside Cottage - A mature garden, laid out in the 1920s by its then-artist owner, the watercolourist George Marks. The cottage has a natural woodland setting on Coppett Hill. The owners have an ongoing restoration plan for the garden to maintain the original structure and to garden organically to help wildlife. Walk through the yew arch and discover places to sit and enjoy the wonderful views.

Orchard End - A Mediterranean-meets-English Country garden on the slopes of Coppett Hill. Lovingly created with interestingly planted borders. Admire the splendid view west towards the hills of Wales as you walk around the back of the property. Plans are in place to develop other areas of the garden.

Hillbrow - Recently restored hillside Edwardian garden with rockeries, herbaceous and shrub borders. Stunning views over Goodrich and towards the Brecon Beacons.

Castle Beech - A short steep drive leads to a flat garden containing shrubs, herbaceous borders, pergola and a gravel garden. A raised vegetable plot, espaliered fruit trees and summer flower annuals in containers and pots can be admired when walking around the garden which wraps around the house.

Goodrich Church of England (VC) Primary School - The construction of the school nursery necessitated the re-siting of the school garden. A rundown, overgrown and uneven corner of the school field was selected and work began. During the summer of 2019, the area was cleared and levelled, a retaining bank created, and the dead willow tree felled. Gradually the garden began to take shape. Sheds, a polytunnel and greenhouse were erected. Child-friendly raised beds appeared, and planting commenced. The children of Goodrich Gardening Club have taken up the challenge of developing the area for the whole school to use, to learn, to relax and to enjoy. The hard work and commitment of the children and everyone involved has been rewarded, as the garden has already been accredited with RHS Level 3 School Garden award. The garden is in its infancy and what you will see on your visit is part of its journey.

The Old Court House - The gardens of this 17th Century house command wonderful views towards Coppett Hill and Symonds Yat. Renovations have been ongoing since 2012. These include a new greenhouse, a vegetable garden with raised beds and the planting of new fruit trees. The overall design of the garden has however, been retained. There are extensive lawns and flower beds, which are set off by ancient stone buildings and hard landscaping.

The Nutshell - A cottage garden set in about half an acre of land, created from scratch over the last 20 years on what was meadowland. The garden is made up of different areas separated by herbaceous borders and rose arches. There are many different peonies, delphiniums, geraniums, roses and an extensive collection of hostas. The owner has a keen interest in propagation and has two polytunnels. Other areas of interest include two wildlife ponds, a small orchard, free-range bantam chickens as well as a vegetable plot with greenhouses.

MarkG Photography
[email protected] https://www.facebook.com/pg/MarkG-Pho...